Oranjestad Travel Guide

  Oranjestad, Aruba July 2011
by jumpingnorman
 
  • Oranjestad, Aruba July 2011
      Oranjestad, Aruba July 2011
    by jumpingnorman
  • Jumpingson Oranjestad, Aruba July 2011
      Jumpingson Oranjestad, Aruba July 2011
    by jumpingnorman
  • The Westin Aruba July 2011 at Palm Beach outside
      The Westin Aruba July 2011 at Palm Beach...
    by jumpingnorman
  • The Westin Aruba July 2011
      The Westin Aruba July 2011
    by jumpingnorman
  • The Westin Aruba July 2011
      The Westin Aruba July 2011
    by jumpingnorman
 

Explore Oranjestad

Things to Do  

Harbor

Harbor, Oranjestad

 Twan Says:  In 1790 it was renamed Oranjestad Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, because this has a deeper channel for larger ships than the previous capital. Oranjestad therefore has the transit port of Aruba. Almost all goods coming through the port of Oranjestad in from South America, the... 

City centre

City centre, Oranjestad

 Twan Says:  As the largest city of Oranjestad Aruba, it has an important status for its inhabitants. In Oranjestad, the major supermarkets on the island and established the great messages to everyone in the capital. Besides the great boutiques Oranjestad also a handful of shopping... 

Atlantis Submarine Tour

Atlantis Submarine Tour, Oranjestad

 cpm440vee Says:  Sailors aside, how many of you can claim that you have been on a submarine? Probably not too many so this is your chance! Atlantis offers a submarine tour of the waters. You first get picked up at the dock and take a boat ride to deeper waters where you transfer onto the... 

Fireworks on December 31st. A tradition.

Fireworks on December 31st. A tradition., Oranjestad

 Arubasun. Says:  You must one time experience the fireworks display on the island of Aruba during New Years. Many businesses in Oranjestad often light up the famous "pagara" during the daylight of hours of every December 31st. The biggest pagara is lit up at waterfront Oranjestad. I you... 

Hotels  

Hotels  

The Westin Resort & Casino: Wonderful hotel to stay at with casino :)

The Westin Resort & Casino: Wonderful hotel to stay at with casino :), Oranjestad

 jumpingnorman Says:  We booked a hotel-flight package for a four night stay in Aruba thru Expedia on July 2011. We like the look of the pool through the pictures, and also the fact that this hotel is at the beachfront. The pool was okay when we finally saw it, but not as clean as we want it to... 

Restaurants  

Sushi Ya: Great Sushi in Oranjestad.

Sushi Ya: Great Sushi in Oranjestad., Oranjestad

 seamandrew Says:  On the second night of our trip, I was in the mood for seafood, but unfortunately, most of the seafood restaurants we looked up had no vegetarian options (or limited) for Elisabeth. We then stumbled upon the name of Sushi Ya, located in the Renaissance Marketplace. Sushi... 

The Real Dr. Koko: Visit the Dr.

The Real Dr. Koko: Visit the Dr., Oranjestad

 bekssa Says:  On a whim, we stopped to watch this guy cutting up coconuts for the locals and the tourists and putting on quite a show! He had all sorts of flavors available for drinks. After watching a woman stop just for a cup of coconut milk, I decided to ask whether he could make a... 

The Queens: Go for the table sauce

The Queens: Go for the table sauce, Oranjestad

 bekssa Says:  This is a new restaurant right next door to Senor Frog's. It's very close to the pier. In fact, you can look out their front door and see all of the cruise ships! (see pic) It's very pretty inside and the women running it were terrific!! Very friendly, helpful, great... 

Bus Stop: Local Food

Bus Stop: Local Food, Oranjestad

 bekssa Says:  We stopped at Turtle Cove and their menu looked wonderful, however we were on a hunt for local foods. The staff at Turtle Cove was very nice and directed us to a little place right behind them so that we could try a pastechi. To get to this restaurant, go right underneath... 

Dutch Pancake House: All Kinds of Pancakes

Dutch Pancake House: All Kinds of Pancakes, Oranjestad

 cpm440vee Says:  I don't usually eat pancakes (crepes) but this place changed my mind. They have all kinds of pancakes on their menu with ingredients you may have never thought about combining. There were so many that I went back there a second time just to try more. 

The Villa Germania: If you're in the mood for German cuisine...

The Villa Germania: If you're in the mood for German cuisine..., Oranjestad

 seamandrew Says:  On our last night, we decided to skip the fancy restaurant we had made reservations for and opted to go to "the Villa" because they had apfelstruedel (apple struedel) which Elisabeth wanted. The service was certainly friendly, and the food good. The restaurant itself looked... 

't Pannekoekhuis: Crèpes the way you want them!

't Pannekoekhuis: Crèpes the way you want them!, Oranjestad

 seamandrew Says:  On our third day in Aruba, our 2nd day of diving was cancelled so Elisabeth and I decided to have a big breakfast instead. We had seen 't Pannekoekhuis the night before and so we decided to go try their Dutch pancakes (crèpes really). The menu had all sorts of varieties of... 

L.G. Smith's Steak & Chop House: Excellent Surf & Turf!

L.G. Smith's Steak & Chop House: Excellent Surf & Turf!, Oranjestad

 seamandrew Says:  On our first night in Aruba, Elisabeth and I weren't in the mood to travel too far for dinner and so we decided to try one of the Renaissance Hotel's on-site restaurants. It turned out to be a very pleasant experience with fantastic food, great atmosphere, and attentive... 

Transportation  

Arubus

Arubus, Oranjestad

 cpm440vee Says:  Take the bus around parts of Aruba. The main depot is in Oranjestad and there are maps and bulletin boards to tell you how to get to places. Cost is $2US (2005 prices). You just hand the cash over to the driver. No fare box. He even gives change if necessary. Then go through... 

Arubus.

Arubus., Oranjestad

 Arubasun. Says:  Busses run frequently between the resort district in Palm Beach and Eagle Beach to the Central Bus Station in Oranjestad. The bus transportation system is good, the busses are brand new, comfortable and mostly airconditioned. A return ticket Oranjestad Resort district will... 

Local Customs  

Dutch Church Service
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cruisingbug 370 reviews
Protestant Church, Oranjestad, Aruba

If you're in Aruba on a Sunday, it's worth the time to attend services at the Dutch Protestant Church (The Protestant Church Community of Aruba). The church itself was built in 1822, but the cultural aspect is that services are conducted (mainly) in Dutch, with an English translation insert in the program. Just keep in mind that the church has no air conditioning.

Written Apr 22, 2004

Related to:
 Religious Travel

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Off The Beaten Path  

The museum of foreign currency.
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Arubasun. 136 reviews

Most visitors miss the museums the city has to offer. Pay a visit to the Museum of foreign currency. In which you would find currencies from every country in the World since the beginning of mankind.

The Museum of foreign currency is located next to the University of Aruba near the St. Francis Roman Catholic Church of Oranjestad.

Written Oct 4, 2002

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Favorites  

Wilhelmina Park.
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Arubasun. 136 reviews
Path through Wilhelmina Park.

Favorite thing: Oranjestad Wilhelmina park is very well kept it is an oasis of green in the city downtown core. The park was named after the beloved Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands and her statue could be seen in the park.

Wilhelmina park is a peaceful place, you would see a few people jogging, some children playing and other just reading or talking in a peaceful environment.

The park is located near the Aruba Rennaissance Suites in downtown.

Written Oct 4, 2002

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Map of Oranjestad